Catawba took control with a 15-2 run midway through the first half, going on top 28-15 at the 8:50 mark. Mars Hill would pull within three before the Indians closed the half on a 9-2 run to lead 46-36 at the break. .

The Indians went up by 15 early in the second half, but Mars Hill used a 19-7 run and cut the deficit to single digits at 56-47 with 15:11 left. A three-pointer by Stoney Polite (Morganton, NC) brought the Lions within 64-60 with 10:55 remaining.

Mars Hill tied the game with 2:41 left on a three-pointer by Danny Sanders (Shelby, NC) and when P.J. Gore (North Myrtle Beach, SC) sank two free throws with 1:54 remaining, the Lions had their first lead since the opening basket of the contest at 80-78.

Catawba tied the game twice on a basket by Reid at the 1:42 mark and a free throw by Isaac Rose (Jonesville, NC/W. Forsyth HS) with 1:22 left in the game. Dallas Johnson (Shelby, NC) put Mars Hill up 83-81 on a basket with 1:01 to go before Reid drained a trey from the top of the key with 51 seconds left to give Catawba the lead back at 84-83.

Gore turned the ball over on the next possession but then forced a steal for the go-ahead layup attempt, but his shot rimmed in and out. Rob Fields (Orangeburg, SC/Orangeburg-Wilkerson HS) was fouled and hit two free throws to give Catawba its 86-83 lead with 10 seconds left. Sanders missed a three from the top of the key to conclude the game.